Chapter 35 The Price of a Name
Finished
“Yunice?” Owen looked at her in surprise, then quickly reached out to steady a middle–aged man. “Mr. Ford, are you alright?”
Quinton Ford waved a hand, indicating he was fine, but then turned toward Yunice, eyeing her closely. “What did you just call her, Mr. Saunders?”
From behind Quinton, Elsie stepped forward quickly, casting a nervous glance at Yunice.
She’d been using Yunice’s name in public. And now Owen had slipped up.
Quinton Ford was a major pharmaceutical tycoon, someone Elsie had long hoped to collaborate with. The last thing she needed was for her identity swap to be exposed. “Mr. Ford, my brother was calling me, she interjected quickly.
Owen jumped in. That’s right”
Quinton looked between the two, something about their story clearly off. He didn’t press the issue, but instead bent down and picked up the canvas bag Yunice had dropped.
As he did, an old notebook fell out, flipping open on the pavement. His eyes narrowed at the sight of its pages.
He leaned down to take a closer look, but a pale, delicate hand quickly snatched both the notebook and the bag from his
grasp.
Quinton looked up to see Yunice, tense and on guard.
“You” Owen started, but caught himself. Nearly slipped again.
He quickly changed his tone. “Do you have any manners?”
He turned to Quinton and offered an apologetic smile. “Mr. Ford, she’s just a distant cousin. A little… unstable. Please don’t take it personally.”
And just to be sure Yunice didn’t say anything more, Owen pinched the inside of her arm behind his back, a subtle but sharp warning
The sudden sting made Yunice’s eyes well with tears, but she stayed quiet, refusing to react.
Elsie, all smiles, invited,
“Mr. Ford, shall we continue our discussion over here?”
Once Quinton had walked off with Elsie, Owen turned back with a scowl. “Elsic and I have work to do. Lao Liu will take you home.”
Yunice clutched her bag tightly and looked up at the grand hotel behind them. Owen and Elsie stood proud, dressed in luxury, using the Saunders family name to network with powerhouses like Quinton Ford.
And her!
A mentally ill distant cousin. Even after saving someone’s life, she was met with nothing but coldness.
Status really is everything.
That night, Owen came home in high spirits and even asked Giana to prepare extra dishes.
At the dinner table, he turned to Yunice with a smile. “You don’t like spicy food, so these milder ones were made just for you.”
Chapter 35 The Price of a Name
You two are both wonderful. Lily said happily. “You’re my greatest blessings.”
Yunice ate the food Lily had served her, but every bite was flavorless.
No matter how much time passed, she still couldn’t adjust to this environment.
She knew she was the outsider, yet still found herself caught between numbness and silent resistance.
She lowered her head and ate faster, hoping to disappear from their line of sight.
But fate didn’t let her.
“Yunice.” Owen said, “that notebook you dropped earlier–it looked like Dad’s handwriting. Can I take a look?”
Finished
Lily froze. Her expression darkened as she turned toward Yunice. “You told me you didn’t have any of your father’s things. Were you lying to me?”
“Lying?” Owen looked between the two, confused.
Lily’s gaze stayed fixed on Yunice, her voice filled with disappointment. These past few nights I’ve been dreaming of your father. He kept telling me that he left important notes with you. He begged me to protect them. But when I asked, you told me they weren’t in your possession.”
She pressed her temples as if in pain. I haven’t fulfilled your father’s request. My head’s been aching constantly ever since…”
“How could you” Owen slammed his hand on the table. “Yunice, those were Dad’s things–they should’ve gone to Mom! What right do you have to keep them to yourself?”
The last bite of rice turned to ash in Yunice’s mouth. She set down her chopsticks and said calmly. “Dad didn’t leave me anything. And if he did, they’re not with me.”
“That’s not true!” Lily snapped. “I searched every corner of this house and couldn’t find those books. Who else could’ve taken
them?”
She sighed dramatically, holding her chest. I’ve tried to be tolerant of you. You didn’t have proper upbringing, but I still treated you kindly. And now–now you’re lying to me? Even to me?”
She clutched her chest again, as if the betrayal had left her breathless.
